West Bengal launches tourism campaign in Delhi

To promote tourism and attract more revenue for the state, the West Bengal government today launched a one month-long intensive campaign in the national capital.
The campaign, having tagline "Chalo Chalen Bengal (Let's Visit Bengal)", is part of efforts to woo more visitors by the state government, which has increased budgetary support for the tourism sector by 33 per cent this fiscal.
"Allocation made by the state government for Tourism Sector was Rs 38 crore in 2011-2012. It has been increased to Rs 90 crore in 2012-2013 and Rs 120 crore in the current financial year 2013-2014. It clearly shows that the budgetary support has increased 33 percent by the new state government," said Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, West Bengal Tourism Minister who launched the campaign.

Hoardings of the campaign will be displayed at the airport, key railway stations and various bus shelters across the city.
To increase footfall into the state, the West Bengal government has created tourist destinations in unexplored areas and developed infrastructure in those areas through public private partnership, Choudhury said.
The minister also inaugurated a new state-of-the-art tourism information centre here.

"The state government plans to come up with another international airport at Durgapur which will connect tourists to northern part of the state," said Vikaram Sen, Principal Secretary, Tourism in the West Bengal government.
There is also a proposal to start night flights from Bagdogra airport with the state government in talks with the Airport Authority of India, he said.

"The world heritage Toy train will connect Siliguri to Darjeeling. Pawan Hansraj helicopters are also going to be operational to ferry tourists to Darjeeling and adjoining areas," said Sen.